Betrothed (The Selection series and Red Queen Fanfic)

Chapter 74 - Farewell

I woke up from my deep slumber with puffy eyes. I wasn't able to sleep immediately because of the sweets I ate in the carnival, keeping me awake for hours.

"Good morning, miss" Anne greeted. 

I smiled at her then trailed her to the bathroom. They told me my breakfast will be served inside my room. They opened the cover and revealed a hearty meal.

I was eating my food when a butler came with a letter and roses on hand.

"For you, my lady" He said.

"Thank you," I answered. "You may go now"

He bowed then retreated to his chores. I opened the letter and it was from Maxon.

Delancy,

Good Morning!

So how do I start this thing?... Well, here it is.
I told you how much happy I am with you. It wasn't just any ordinary story to tell your future kids, that you once grew in love with your best friend. I'm sorry for departing without saying goodbye, but it's much better this way. I won't be able to contain myself from getting dramatic if you're there to say your goodbyes.

Delancy, my darling, I hope you find the person that will make you feel loved, the person that will protect you no matter what. My love, once again I apologize for not telling you this earlier.

Illéa is on verge of chaos and we're on all out war. I won't be the man that will you see at the end of the aisle. I won't be the prince that will make you a princess. I won't be the husband that will give you beautiful children. I've been fighting for the freedom of Illéa in these past few weeks and I was getting nervous that you'll notice my scars beneath the powder.

Without a doubt, I know you will love me albeit I have tons of wounds. However, I don't want you to mourn for me and even close your heart for someone that will eventually be the reason for your death.

I want to see you happy, to see you with your husband and children. Attached to this letter is the approval of our broken betrothal. Be happy, my dear. I will always be with you no matter what. I love you so much, Delancy.

Maxon Schreave.

I wiped the tears that fell from my eyes. There was another paper inside the envelope and it was the contract I once signed with a heavy heart. The contract that was supposed to dictate my future. The words that made me cry in earnest was in bold letters.

NULL AND VOID

I sobbed harder, I was alone and cold in my own room. I threw the dining wares across the room, sending them into pieces with my anger. My fingers tapped my phone furiously, I sent many messages to Maxon but they weren't answered. I even dialed his phone but it was already shut down.

I screamed at the top my lungs, gripping the roots of my hair. The once beautiful braided hair, now ruined. My once glowing face now broken. Out of nowhere, someone's arms were wrapped around my body, giving me the warmth that left my body once I read those letters.

"I got you" A very familiar voice whispered.

Cal.

"Maxon!" I cried, hugging my own little body.

Cal had the hard time calming my cries down. He opened the television to keep me company while my maids cleaned the mess I made. Cal ran to his room to get some of his stuffs because he wanted to secure my well-being.

Without Cal, I started to wonder where the heck is his fiancée. She should be here for Maven and Wendy's wedding. But not even her silhouette was seen. The time Cal arrived from his packing, I quickly questioned him about his fiancée. 

"Where's America?" I blurted out.

"She departed for Illéa three days before Mavey's wedding. And unfortunately, she was gone before I could even tell how much I loved her, she was gone before I could even mourn for her," He was close to tears as well. "Of course she wasn't mourned by Norta because she's not that special. She's just a little Red rat that lured the crowned prince's heart"

It was the right time to embrace Cal. He's my friend after all. We're both goners now, no fiancés, no one but us. So that explains his pale face and hazy looking eyes.

"So it's just then" I sighed.

Cal nodded his head. We forgot that the television was still on. A report caught our attention, Cal quickly turned up the volume.

"We are currently broadcasting the current encounter of Rebels versus the authorities of Illéa," They played the footage of the encounter. "As seen in this video, the crowned prince of Illéa was seen fighting with his men."

They played Maxon's video in the battlefield. I could feel tears forming in my eyes.

"It was also reported that Prince Maxon called off the engagement with Gardenia's Princess Delancy, for them not to be the next target of the said rebels. The Monarchs of Illéa also cut off their alliances to avoid the war of spreading through out the other countries. Now it is rumored that Illéa won't be holding much longer.  And the rebels has the upper hand in this war. This has been Rachel White, reporting" The news ended, Cal quickly turned off the television. 

Cal and I dashed out of the room and headed to the conference room, wherein my parents, Norta's rulers and the whole council were there. They just turned off yhe television as well.

We are all Stunned about the news and no one dared to talk at that very moment. I was the one who broke the deafening silence.

"Daddy! Mommy!" I cried.

I ran to my parents' open arms. I poured my heart out, not caring if they can see me broken on the floor. I don't give damn anyway, Maxon's gone, Mathew's gone, and the remaining sanity in my body's gone. Mom rocked me back and forth, I saw Dad waved at the council men to get out of the room. Silently, they retreated to the halls but King Tiberias, Queen Elara and Cal remained.

"Everything's going to be fine, Del" Mom whispered.

Queen Elara was surprisingly moved to tears, she joined Mom to calm me down. I don't know how long I was sobbing, but the last thing I remembered was,

Sleep, dearest.